Clemson football: Tigers have 2 of nation’s top edge rushers per PFF
It’s almost unanimous that Clemson football has one of, if not the, best front sevens in college football, and when looking specifically at the defensive line, it’s difficult to find a weak spot.
The Tigers are deep and talented, something’s that at least in part due to working through injuries in the 2021 season.
We’ve previously detailed where Bryan Bresee sits in PFF rankings for interior defensive linemen, and while I believe Tyler Davis has been overlooked, two players that weren’t overlooked are Myles Murphy and Xavier Thomas, who came in at numbers 9 and 10 respectively on PFF’s list top edge defenders for 2022.
Murphy accumulated 14 tackles for loss, including 7 sacks, 12 quarterback pressures and 2 passes broken up to go along with 43 total tackles in 542 snaps last season.
Thomas played 476 snaps across 12 games (10 starts) and recorded 27 total tackles, 5.5 tackles for loss, 3.5 sacks, 17 quarterback pressures and one pass broken up.
Thomas has rededicated himself and remade his body after recovering from COVID and injuries and has worked himself into the best shape of his life.
Finally reached my goal of 15% body fat. Down 4.5% & lost 12.5 pounds of fat. Lowest I've ever been in my career was 16.5% body fat and that was back in 2018... if that gives ya any idea. God is always on time❤️
— Xavier Thomas (@atxlete) July 28, 2022
Xavier Thomas’ return added even more firepower to a stacked front seven for Clemson football
Many expected Thomas to turn pro after the 2021 season, but his draft grade was not where he wanted it to be and he decided to return to Clemson and improve his stock.
Thomas’ return, along Myles Murphy and healthy Bresee and Tyler Davis make the Clemson front line formidable to say the least.
Add in others like Tre Williams, Etinosa Reuben, Ruke Orhorhoro and Payton Page and you have a front line that will rival any in the nation.
Next. Bryan Bresee ranked 2nd best interior DL. dark
This group is backed by a linebacker group that is expected to be faster and more athletic than recent versions giving the Tigers one of the best front seven in the land.